Council tax will be frozen in Mansfield

The issue was put before the full council at last night’s monthly meeting and all 33 members present voted to keep the levy the dame for the next financial year.

It comes despite further reductions in Government grants.

For the next financial year, Mansfield District Council will receive just over £4 million, compared to £10 million they received just five years ago.

It is predicted that the grants will dwindle to just £2.7 million by 2020.

Portfolio holder for resources aon the council, Coun Roger Sutcliffe, joked at the meeting: “Anyone who thinks we are financially out of the woods must believe in Santa Claus.

“Anyone who thinks Chancellor George Osborne will help us must think he is Santa Claus.

“We must be increasingly prudent on our spending. Despite the problems, there will be no increase in council tax.”

The move was backed by Coun Nick Bennett who said: “It;s absolutely fantastic that we are not having an increase. This benefits all of us in Mansfield, not just a few of us.

“Other authorities should take note and not increase the council tax.”